Vitamin D and mental health

The brain is suffused with vitamin D receptors, prompting much research into its relevance for mental health, from depression to schizophrenia. A 2008 Dutch study of 1282 people aged between 65 and 95 noted higher levels of depression amongst those with the lowest levels of vitamin D and highest levels of blood parathyroid hormone. A similar Italian study of 531 women and men over the age of 65 showed a correlation particularly in women between low vitamin D levels and depression.

John McGrath spent several years studying the relationship between prenatal and early vitamin D deficiency and schizophrenia. His 2003 study of Finnish men and women who had taken vitamin D supplements during the first year of life. The study showed no correlation in females, but in males, the use of either irregular or regular vitamin D supplements was associated with a reduced risk of schizophrenia. The most reduced risk was found in those supplementing with at least 2000iu vitamin D daily.

We have a number of articles about different aspects of Vitamin D and the vital roll it plays. Click of any link below to look at that subject or, below the links, click to bring up a printable PDF document covering all of the subjects by the excellent Nutrigold company, which also incorporates references.